Summer Hotel SRO in Downtown Eastside remains unsafe-to-occupy nearly a year after collapse warning

The Story

Almost a year after a fire triggered a city warning that a Downtown Eastside single-room occupancy (SRO) hotel faced “imminent collapse,” the Summer Hotel in the Tweedale Block remains under restrictions that have halted efforts to stabilize the building, according to information reported by officials and the remaining tenant.

On Oct. 17, 2025, a fire in one of the second-floor rooms damaged the 115-year-old Summer Hotel. Following the incident, Vancouver’s Chief Building Official Saul Schwebs ordered the building unsafe to occupy, citing water damage. The SRO is located at 341 East Hastings Street.

In December, Vancouver City Council declared 341 East Hastings a danger to public safety and directed the owner to stabilize the building or tear it down. The owners, Thuan Phuoc Holdings, commissioned their own engineering report, which stated the building could be repaired rather than demolished.

Robert Gallagher, identified in the report as the only remaining tenant, said he continued to stay in his room after the fire displaced other occupants. Gallagher described his motivation as maintaining watch over the vacant building to reduce the risk of break-ins, and he argued that delays in approvals have prevented repairs during a housing crisis.

The City of Vancouver has said the owner carried out work without permits, including activities involving hazardous materials. WorkSafeBC has also issued two stop-work orders against Thuan Phuoc Holdings, citing structural safety concerns and potential asbestos-related risks.

An April 9 inspection report documented “ongoing structural movement” and said a temporary shoring system was installed inside the building “without professional design, direction, or oversight and without permits.” In response, WorkSafeBC said no further work would be allowed until several compliance measures were completed and accepted, including a written report by a professional structural engineer confirming the building had been inspected and was structurally stable and safe for workers.

Gallagher acknowledged that floors have caved in on the ground level at the back of the building but said he believes the overall structure can be secured. He also said some bracing work had been done to keep the building from collapsing further, while stopping short of disputing WorkSafeBC’s conditions.

The second stop-work order was issued during a May 12 WorkSafeBC inspection due to the “potential disturbance of suspected asbestos-containing material” without appropriate assessment or controls. WorkSafeBC stated that before any work could proceed, a final inspection must be conducted by a qualified third party to confirm asbestos-containing materials had been completely removed.

The report also includes commentary from heritage consultant Donald Luxton, who said the city cannot simply refuse a permit but would have to withhold one if conditions for work were unsafe. Luxton said work could proceed if the WorkSafeBC conditions were addressed, and that WorkSafeBC’s requirements can take precedence over the city permitting process.

Vancouver has designated the property under the Single Room Accommodation (SRA) by-law and listed it on the Vancouver Heritage Register. Luxton said it would be a very serious step if the city ordered demolition and noted concerns about losing a heritage-register building in the Downtown Eastside that could potentially be saved.

According to the city’s position cited in the report, because the stop-work orders remain in effect, the owner must submit a work plan to WorkSafeBC before any new work can begin. The report also says that by mid-August WorkSafeBC indicated the employer was developing a procedure to address outstanding safety concerns and that, once completed, WorkSafeBC would review and consider lifting the stop-work order.

Gallagher said the Summer Hotel is his home and argued against demolition without what he described as good reasons, while the city and WorkSafeBC continue to require compliance steps tied to structural stability and asbestos safety. With both stop-work measures still active and permitting tied to WorkSafeBC’s acceptance of required documents and procedures, the building’s long-term future remains unresolved.

The situation highlights the complexity of restoring heritage SROs after fire damage, where municipal safety orders, occupational health and safety requirements, and permitting processes must align before work can restart. For Vancouver residents, the case is also part of a broader challenge: keeping housing stock from being lost while ensuring any repairs proceed safely.